How is a breast lift combined with a prosthesis performed?
It is recommended to also read information about breast lifts and information about breast augmentation.
If the shape of the breast is sagging and you want a breast lift, you can choose whether you want a breast lift combined with a prosthesis or without a prosthesis. With a regular breast lift, the breast will initially have a lot of fullness in the upper pole and then flatten out and become more teardrop-shaped and natural over time.
Depending on the desired result, a small prosthesis (which gives more fullness in the upper part of the breast and in the neckline) can be inserted, which will give a rounder breast over time. This is recommended where there is little glandular volume and more skin, or where you want a fuller breast as you had before.
Breast size
With breast lifts combined with prostheses, there are some possibilities and limitations, which are assessed during the consultation.
Breast size and the woman's wishes are important factors in determining whether a breast lift with a prosthesis is appropriate.
We have the option of 3D visualization at the consultation, but if you are in doubt about whether you need a prosthesis or not, we recommend a breast lift first, and then possibly later insertion of a prosthesis. This will be somewhat more expensive, see price list, but will provide a stable result as the breast is first given the opportunity to shape and heal and the scars become prettier before deciding whether you want a breast implant.
In a breast lift with a prosthesis, the prosthesis is inserted and the glandular tissue and skin are shaped over it. The nipple is lifted and the glandular tissue is shaped and any excess skin is removed. The scars go around the nipple or around the nipple and down. If you would like to read more about different types of breast surgery, as this may help you to understand the differences better, you can take a closer look at these links:
To get qualified information and answers to your questions, we always recommend contacting us to make an appointment for a non-binding consultation.
Før operasjon
Om man røyker eller snuser så må man slutte med dette 6-8 uker før operasjon, avhengig av hva slags type operasjon man skal utføre.
Blodfortynnende medisiner, betennelsesdempende medikamenter og salisylsyrepreparater må ikke brukes 7 dager før operasjon.
Uken du skal få utført operasjon, så er det viktig at du har frisk. Har du symptomer på sykdom så må du ta kontakt med klinikken, slik at vi kan sette opp en ny dag. Man skal ikke utføre en operasjon når man har symptomer på sykdom.
Before surgery, you will be given a prescription for medication, with information on which tablets to take and what preparations to make at home.
Hva skjer operasjonsdagen?
På selve operasjonsdagen så faster man 6 timer før operasjon. Da er det også viktig at man ikke tygger tyggegummi eller pastiller, snuser eller røyker. Man skal ikke bruke parfyme, deodorant eller sminke - og piercinger og neglelakk må fjernes.
It is always a priority for us that you feel well cared for with the very best expertise, in safe and comfortable surroundings. You will be welcomed by a nurse who will go through a checklist with you. You will also meet our anesthesia staff who will look after you during the operation. You will then be taken to the surgeon for registration and a preoperative consultation. During the operation, you will be given general anesthesia and a local anesthetic to limit the pain.
The surgery takes about 1 hour.
Finally, a pain blockade is administered to reduce pain after the operation. You will receive a prescription in advance and painkillers to take home with you after the operation.
På postoperativ blir du fulgt opp av våre sykepleiere, der du blir liggende minimum 1 time etter operasjonen er ferdig. Du får mat og drikke og smertestillende etter behov.
What is the recovery time after a breast lift with prostheses?
Since all patients are given a pain blockade at the end of the operation, most patients experience little pain after the procedure. This anesthesia lasts for several hours and you may experience some more pain in the evening. You will have pain for a couple of days before it starts to subside, so you will be given prescriptions for painkillers that you pick up before the operation - and you can also take some stronger painkillers home with you after the operation.
After the operation, you can eat and drink at the clinic and recover before going home about 1-2 hours after the operation. You can stay as long as you want that day, but most people feel fit enough to go home after being observed for an hour or so after surgery.
What do I need to consider after a prosthetic breast lift?
Your breasts will feel quite "cracked" for the first few days, which will subside in the first week. For the first few weeks, you should lie on your back after a breast augmentation. You also need to be careful not to use your arms or bump your breasts. Keep your upper arms close to your body when using your arms. If you have small children, you should get help at home 1-2 weeks after the operation. You should also be careful with heavy lifting in the first period after surgery.
You must wear preferably a good compression bra that we sell at the clinic for 6 weeks, 3 weeks day and night and then 3 weeks during the day. We do not recommend a sports bra as it must be pulled over the head and it is recommended not to put your arms over your head for the first time. For submuscular prostheses, we recommend a chest band or so-called press-down band for the first 2-3 weeks.
You can shower after 4 days. The tape on the wound can then be dried with a hairdryer. This tape can be changed for the first time after about 10-12 days. It should be changed weekly for 3-4 months to keep the scar as clean as possible.
After a breast augmentation with silicone implants, you will not be able to drive yourself and must be driven home, and you will continue your recovery in your own environment.
Patients who have lighter physical work, such as office work, are usually back at work after a few days. If you have heavier physical work, you should expect 2 weeks before you can be in almost "normal operation". You can exercise after 4-6 weeks.
Much of the swelling will go down after 4 weeks. However, the final result will be seen 3-6 months after surgery. Breast enlargement is not grounds for sick leave.
Can you breastfeed after a breast lift with prostheses?
We use a technique that preserves the glandular tissue behind the nipple and does not cut directly behind the nipple. You should therefore be able to breastfeed after a breast lift with prostheses. There are breast lift techniques where the nipple is circulated by only a small stalk and you cannot breastfeed, but we do not use these methods in people of childbearing age and rarely in the elderly without talking about it. However, you can't say with absolute certainty that you can breastfeed, and we know that if you look at all methods together, they can reduce your ability to breastfeed, which is why we recommend that those who can (who have less physical problems) wait with a breast lift with prostheses until after they have had a child.
Can I have a mammogram after a breast lift with prostheses?
Man kan også utføre en mammografi med brystproteser, men gjerne oppi denne informasjonen til de som skal utføre undersøkelsen. Dette fordi da vil undersøkelsen utføres mer varsomt med mindre trykk når man tar bilder og at det må utføres flere bilder. I noen tilfeller vil man også få tilbud på å undersøke brystene bedre med ultralyd eller MR.
Which breast implant suppliers do we use?
We use prostheses from Polytech, Motiva, Sebbin and Mentor, which are the world's largest prosthesis suppliers. Most clinics have chosen one brand, which makes it easier logistically, but we believe that you should be able to choose the implant you want based on anatomy, tailor-made measurements regardless of brand. They have slightly different projections (different heights based on a certain width). During a consultation, we can show the difference between them and look at which one we think is best suited for you.
Mentor and Polytech and Sebbin have a prosthetic warranty, all the prostheses we use are of the highest standard in the world. Mentor and Polytech have microtextured recognized implants with a good prosthetic warranty. They also have a much wider range of different implants for different situations. Sebbin has something called semi-smooth and Motiva has so-called nano texturing which are both quite similar and have a smoother surface, in addition to the gel being somewhat softer and behaving more like a breast and having softer and more movable properties.
For those who exercise a lot
We have many patients who exercise a lot and there will then be a number of considerations to take into account both in relation to the placement of the implant as described above, but also in relation to the choice of implant. The Polytech B-lite series is a lightweight implant that is very good for those who run a lot or for other reasons want the lightest possible prostheses.
What types of implants are available?
- Silicone implants
- Round implants
- Dimensionally stable (anatomical/drop-shaped) silicone implants
- B-lite implants (from Polytech)
- Textured breast implants
- Polyurethane implants
- Smooth breast implants
Today, there are many methods and implants used for breast augmentation with silicone implants.
Silicone implants
Silicone implants have been used for decades and were first developed in the 1960s. In the 1990s, silicone was approved by the FDA and has proven to be safe for breast augmentation and reconstruction. Over the years, the technology has evolved considerably and the gel has become soft and feels like a breast. In the last ten years, silicone implants have taken a quantum leap and today provide a result that feels, acts and looks natural. In addition to feeling natural, you can drive a truck over an implant without it cracking and you can cut an implant in half without the gel running out.
Silicone is lightweight and has a feel and appearance that approximates human breast tissue. It is hypoallergenic and maintains its shape and consistency over time, and silicone implants are the "gold standard" for breast augmentation. They come in round or anatomical/drop shapes, and there are pros and cons between these as described below.
Round implants
At Nordstrandklinikken, we use approximately 70-80% round implants and 20-30% anatomical implants. In many cases, there is so much mammary gland tissue or coverage over the prosthesis that there is little difference between round and anatomical implants. Studies have been conducted in which plastic surgeons try to determine whether the implants are anatomical or round, and it turns out that in many cases, especially under the muscle, there is little difference between the two over time. Round implants provide more fullness and projection at the top - something that many people want when undergoing breast augmentation. They are also somewhat less expensive than anatomical ones.
The prostheses come in different projections or profiles that vary somewhat between different manufacturers (medium/mini, medium plus/demi, high/full, ultra high/corse) as well as different degrees of hardness - therefore you should spend plenty of time on consultation so that you can assess what shape and volume you want. If you want as much projection as possible and have some soft breast glandular tissue outside, you can choose a harder implant to provide projection. If you have less glandular tissue and want the softest possible breast, you should choose a softer implant.
Dimensionally stable (anatomical/drop-shaped) silicone implants
In our practice, we use approximately 20-30% anatomical implants. In some cases, these are the most beneficial, especially when you want the most natural result possible and where there is very little glandular tissue, or where you need to lift the lower part of the breast after breastfeeding a child, for example. A small breast lift can be achieved with anatomical implants by rotating the lower pole of the breast up and forward. Some people also have prominent ribs above the nipple, which means that round implants provide a disproportionate amount of fullness at the top compared to the bottom. Studies, including by Malucci in England, have shown that 55% of the breast volume should be below the nipple to achieve an aesthetically pleasing breast (45/55 principle). To achieve a good shape, anatomical implants should therefore be chosen in some cases.
Shaped or form-stable silicone breast implants, sometimes referred to as gummy bear, teardrop, or anatomical implants, are FDA-approved for use in patients for both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. They have been available in many parts of the world for over 25 years. In hospital reconstructions, we have mostly used these implants in recent years with very good results. Most of our experience with these implants has been with textured shaped implants, which are not available as smooth to prevent rotation, but are also available in polyurethane, which is more fixed, does not rotate and should not cause capsule formation. They have proven to be beneficial in controlling the positioning of the implant and have little to no rippling in slender patients.
Shape stable implants have proven to be of great benefit to breast reconstruction patients, providing a better and longer lasting shape over time, less rippling and a more natural appearance in those with little or no glandular tissue.
A disadvantage of teardrop-shaped microtextured implants is that they may occasionally rotate. This may occur in between 1-3% of patients over a ten-year period. It is therefore important to have very precise surgery and correct pocket size, but may be less favorable in e.g. athletes or in secondary surgery as the prosthesis is more likely to rotate.
In recent years, round implants have been introduced that behave more like an anatomical implant in that the gel moves more like a breast. Motiva ergonomix is a popular implant for this and is very soft and natural.
B-lite implants (from Polytech)
In recent years, Polytech has developed prostheses called B-lite, which are very lightweight. For athletes and those who like to run and exercise, this will be a great advantage. We constantly receive reports from aerobics, fitness and other people who enjoy intensive training that they find these lighter and better than traditional implants.
This also applies to those who want large implants. For smaller implants, the weight difference will not be significant, but for larger implants, especially over 350 cc, there is a big difference. Over time, heavy implants will be unfavorable for neck and back pain, and these implants are therefore recommended where greater volume and low weight are desired.
Capsule warranty
The clinic has a capsule guarantee that follows the prosthesis manufacturer for the first 5 years after surgery, i.e. you will be covered for free reoperation by the clinic and prosthesis from the supplier if you get a capsule, as this is extremely rare.
We offer 3D simulation
What if you could look in a mirror before a procedure and see the result right then! At Nordstrandklinikken, this is actually possible with the help of Arbrea. Arbrea and their 3D technology will help you make the right choice, as you can see all the options you have to choose from in advance. Magic! And not least reassuring and educational. With Arbrea, you make the right choice. Simple, fast and secure.
Book a consultation - we'll help you
We are concerned about your safety, which is why we always have a no-obligation consultation first. We will provide you with qualified information about all the different implants and, in consultation with you, find out what best suits you and your expectations.
